A 'large and powerful' dog snapped her harness and attacked a smaller dog, shaking it in her mouth, a court heard.
Ben Hyland has avoided jail after his dog Sassy broke her harness during a walk in a Leeds park and injured a pet and its owner.
The 26-year-old was walking his Staffordshire Terrier Cross on a second-hand lead when she broke free and attacked a barking Lhasa Apso.
His dog, named Sassy, caused serious injuries to Lhasa Apso's owner's hand as he tried to free his dog from her mouth.
Prosecutor Jonathan Sharp said the incident, which was a one-off for the Hyland's dog, happened in Arthur's Rein, also known as Fernvills, in Seacroft on the morning of December 15, 2018.
Speaking about the victim, Mr Sharp said: "He had arrived at the open field with both his dogs on leads when he had the misfortune of meeting the defendant with his dog."
He said Sassy is large and powerful and was in a harness that was 'wholly inadequate to restrain her'.
The victim had let one of his dogs off the lead and it approached Hyland's dog and started barking.
Leeds Crown Court heard Hyland began shouting at the victim and his dog became agitated and pulled away from him with such force that the harness broke.
The court was told Sassy ran a 'significant distance' towards them so quickly that the victim did not even have the time to pick up his dogs.
She picked up one of the victim's dogs and started shaking it.
The victim managed to pull the animal's jaws open and release his pet who ran away.
But Sassy then clamped her jaws down on the victim's left hand so he punched her in the head, causing her to release her grip.
Hyland then pulled the dog away and left the scene.
The victim found out Hyland's address and went to his house but Hyland told him to 'f**k off' and slammed the door in his face.
He suffered 12-16 puncture wounds to his hand and required hospital treatment, including medication to stop the bleeding.
In his police interview, Hyland denied that his dog had caused any injuries.
The victim, who works as an engineer, had to take eight weeks off work and in a statement said he no longer enjoys the simple pleasure of walking his dogs.
Hyland, of Asket Drive, Seacroft, pleaded guilty to owning a dog dangerously out of control causing injury.
He has one previous conviction for an unrelated offence.
The court was told he now walks his dog on a suitable harness and with a muzzle and there have been no further incidents.
Eddison Flint, mitigating, said Hyland is a responsible dog owner who had also tried to pry his dog's jaws off the victim's pet.
He said his client had been put into the care system at the age of three and was homeless for a year during his adult life.
Probation officer Kerrie Wilson said Hyland has spent his life defending himself which is why he defended his dog in his police interview.
She added that he is currently very happy with a family of his own.
Hyland was handed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
He was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to the victim.
